Japan Urged to Properly Approach issue of Compensation

     Pyongyang, November 19 (KCNA) -- The list of 420,000 victims, just part of the Koreans who were forcibly drafted during the Japanese imperialists' military occupation of Korea was recently disclosed by a group active in Japan to probe the truth behind the forcible drafting of Koreans. Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary carried in this regard holds that Japan can never evade from its responsibility to apologize and compensate the Korean victims and their bereaved families. The successive Japanese governments have not probed the truth about the crimes Japan committed against humanity in the past, asserting that "there is no evidence proving that Koreans were forcibly drafted," the commentary says, and goes on:
    The Japanese imperialists occupied Korea by force of arms and enforced an unprecedentedly harsh policy to reduce Koreans into slaves and exterminate the Korean nation. The Japanese government is obliged to own responsibility and apologize and compensate for this.
    It is illogical for the Japanese authorities to assert that there is no ground for Japan to make compensation in view of the existing law. It is an international system and practice recognized by international law for as assailant country to bear responsibility before the country which fell victim to it, victims and their bereaved families for its organized human rights abuses.
    To properly settle accounts with Japan which committed crimes in the past and make it compensate for them would mean giving vent to the pent-up wrath of the Koreans including victims and their bereaved families.
    It is a human rights issue rather than a political issue for Japan to make apology and compensation to the Koreans for human losses it caused to the Koreans.
    It is an unavoidable legal and moral obligation and requirements of the times and humankind for Japan to admit its past crimes and make an apology and compensation for them.
    Japan should properly approach the issue of compensation, clearly understanding that it can never flee from its responsibility for compensation.

Move to Enact "Law on Combating Terrorism" Condemned in S. Korea

     Pyongyang, November 19 (KCNA) -- The Joint Action against the Enactment of "Law on Combating Terrorism" consisting of over 110 civic and public organizations in south Korea reportedly made public a statement on November 14, condemning the authorities' move to enact the law. The statement charged that the move to enact the law under the pretext of "combating terrorism" is a cunning scheme of the "Intelligence Service" to strengthen its authority and intensify suppression still further. It said that the enactment of the law is clearly an act of violence against democracy.
    Declaring the handling of the "bill on combating terrorism" at the "Intelligence Committee of the National Assembly" null and void, the statement called for its immediate withdrawal.
    Meanwhile, U Tae Sik, spokesman for the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils, in a commentary on November 15 charged it is a plot of the anti-reunification forces to revive the second evil law to institute the law, now that the abolition of the "Security Law" is becoming a reality because it has been used as a tool to violate human rights and keep up the government and power under the pretext of "national security".

Crackdown on Labour Movement Condemned

     Pyongyang, November 19 (KCNA) -- The (south) Korean Confederation of Trade Unions reportedly issued a statement on November 13, denouncing the security authorities' crackdown on the labour movement. The statement denounced the authorities' arrest of demonstrators as a move to intensify the crackdown on the labour movement to strengthen the labour policy for plutocrats and a plain stand of the government intended to put down the demand of the people of all strata for the guarantee of their vital rights.
    The statement went on:
    The continued suppression of unionists by the security forces surpasses the dictatorship under the "civilian regime" in its scope. This is why enterprise owners impose damages and provisional seizure upon workers and discriminate against part-time jobs with their backing.
    The unpopular labor policy, which drives workers to death, should be repealed. If the authorities turn away from the demand of the workers, the organization will make all efforts to counter it through a powerful struggle.

U.S. Scheme to Perpetuate Military Presence in S. Korea Assailed

     Pyongyang, November 19 (KCNA) -- The Secretariat of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland Tuesday issued information bulletin No. 852. The bulletin said that the U.S. Department of Defense submitted a report to Congress in which it claimed that it is impossible to pull the U.S. troops out of south Korea for a "security reason." It dismissed this as an arrogant and brigandish assertion betraying the shameless nature of the U.S.
    It went on:
    It is a blatant challenge to the south Korean people's anti-U.S. sentiment and their demand for the withdrawal of the U.S. troops.
    Voices testifying to the injustice of the U.S. troops' presence in south Korea and the inevitability of their withdrawal are now heard even from the U.S. But the U.S. is insisting that the "U.S. troops should not quit south Korea under an absurd pretext. Its insistence is not for somebody's "security" but for its political, economic and military purpose and interests.
    The U.S. should not seek to perpetuate the military presence in south Korea under the absurd pretext.
    If the U.S. continues seeking the permanent presence of its forces, it will only precipitate its self-destruction.

DPRK Weightlifter Successful in World Women's Weightlifting Championships

     Pyongyang, November 19 (KCNA) -- DPRK weightlifter Ri Song Hui came first in jerk in the 52 kg category and won a silver medal in the total at the World Women's Weightlifting Championships now underway in Vancouver, Canada. The championships brought together more than 200 players from at least 80 countries and regions of the world.
    Ri placed first with a lift of 127.5 kg in jerk through a good combination of her quick jerk and powerful lift.
    She snatched 95 kg and lifted a total of 222.5 kg but placed second in the total due to the difference in body-weight.

Polish Diplomats Help Korean Farmers

     Pyongyang, November 19 (KCNA) -- Ambassador Wojciech Kaluza and officials of the Polish embassy here Tuesday went to the DPRK-Poland Friendship Jangsuwon Cooperative-Farm in Samsok District, Pyongyang. They helped farmers in bean thrashing. During break they conversed with farmers and enjoyed an art performance, deepening the friendship.
    The ambassador said he was deeply impressed to see successes made by the farmers whenever he visited the farm. He hoped that the farm would make greater success in the agricultural production and the friendly relations between Poland and the DPRK grow stronger

Korean Art Troupe's Performance Highly Applauded in China

     Beijing, November 17 (KCNA Correspondent) -- Chinese friends highly praised leader Kim Jong Il's unique idea of arts and extraordinary leadership ability and warmly congratulated the troupe on its successful performance after enjoying the music and dance performance given by the Mansudae Art Troupe in Wuhan City, Hubei Province. The deputy secretary of the Hubei Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China praised the performance as a model of beautiful and noble performing art as it presented a perfect combination of noble ideological value and artistic merits and it was spiced with national flavour. This is really precious not only for the ideological and cultural cultivation but for the progress of the society, he added.
    The party secretary of the Wuhan City Production Ltd said that seeing the performance he keenly realized that no one can match the great artistic idea, outstanding leadership and unusual artistic caliber of the respected General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
    A professor at Hubei University said that women's instrumental ensemble and many colorful dance pieces that won high acclaim would help youngsters properly understand the genuine arts and exert remarkably great influence on them to enjoy arts and defend and create it at the same time.
    The head of the Cultural Department of the Hubei Provincial People's Government said that the DPRK is a country rich in operas, music, dance, circus and other art masterpieces and a country with a lot of genuine artistic treasure.
    Many of the audience were unanimous in saying that it is an universally recognized truth that the arts of Korea have reached the world's highest level and it is the result of the great leadership of Kim Jong Il.

Mongolian Prime Minister Here

     Pyongyang, November 19 (KCNA) -- Mongolian Prime Minister Nambariin Enkhbayar arrived here today by air to pay an official visit to the DPRK at the invitation of Pak Pong Ju, premier of the DPRK Cabinet. He was accompanied by his wife, Chimeddorjiin Ganzorig, minister of Commerce and Industry, Sukhbaatariin Batbold, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Tsedeviin Dashdorj, member of the State Great Hural, Miyegombiin Enkhbold, mayor of Ulaan Baatar, Janchivdorjiin Adya, governor of Dundgov Province, Yondongiin Otgonbayar, advisor to the prime minister on foreign policy, Daadanhuugiin Batbaatar, director of the State Special Inspection Bureau, and others.
    They were greeted at the airport by Pak Pong Ju, Ri Kwang Gun, minister of Foreign Trade, Mun Il Bong, minister of Finance who is chairman of the Korea-Mongolia Friendship Association, Kim Yong Il, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Kim Jong Sik, vice-chairman of the Pyongyang City People's Committee, and other officials concerned and Ambassador E.P. Janchivdorjyn Lomvo and staff officials of the Mongolian embassy here. A welcome ceremony took place at the airport.

Homage to Kim Il Sung Paid by Mongolian Prime Minister

     Pyongyang, November 19 (KCNA) -- Mongolian Prime Minister Nambariin Enkhbayar visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace today to pay respects to President Kim Il Sung. On hand were his wife, Mongolian Minister of Commerce and Industry Chimeddorjiin Ganzorig and other members of the suite.
    Accompanying them were Premier of the DPRK Cabinet Pak Pong Ju, Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Kwang Gun and others.
    They paid homage in unbounded reverence to the President who lies in state, the leader who made an immortal contribution to the friendship and solidarity between the peoples of the DPRK and Mongolia and the realization of human cause of independence.
    Then they looked round with deep emotion orders, medals and certificates of honorary titles he received at home and from other countries, the Mourning Hall reminiscent of the days when the Korean people and the world progressives writhed in sorrow at losing an outstanding great man of the era of independence and the train coach and car he used in his on-the-spot guidance and on his foreign tour and in the last days of his life.
    The Mongolian prime minister made an entry into the visitor's book.

New Piston Packing for Shuttleless Loom Made

     Pyongyang, November 19 (KCNA) -- Researchers of Pyongyang College of Technology have made a new piston packing for shuttleless loom with raw materials abundant in the country. The former packing made of cowhide or pigskin is expensive in the production cost but short in the serviceable life.
    The cost of the new packing is one tenth of the former and its serviceable life is more than 20 years.

Pocket Computer "Hana 21"

     Pyongyang, November 19 (KCNA) -- The pocket computer "Hana 21" is now popular in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The computer can record and read necessary data in any place and communicate reference materials and books with other computers.
    It has a Korean-English-Chinese-Japanese dictionary with over 500,000 vocabularies. It has scheduling, alarming, business card registering and calculating functions.
    The computer is equipped with LED (light emitting diode), stylus (operation and writing), LCD (liquid crystal display), plug, MMC/SD, etc.
    It contains devices for time zone, password, Korean chess, paduk (go) and other games.
    The computer with low electricity consumption is light and easy to operate.
    It was developed by the Korean Company of Industrial Technology and the Samilpho Information Center.

Sinister Designs Behind Relocation of U.S. Military Bases Exposed

     Pyongyang, November 19 (KCNA) -- The United States is hastening the relocation of its military bases in south Korea. Dismissing this as a military measure aimed for the invasion of the north, Rodong Sinmun today in a signed article says:
    This step is aimed, among other things, to mount a surprise and effective preemptive nuclear attack on the DPRK.
    The change in the formation of the U.S. forces by the relocation of its aggression troops to areas south of the River Han means the shift in its strategic and tactical scheme. That is to evade a war of one-to-one clash and carry out a war of aggression by preemptive strikes and intensive offensives with aircraft and missiles launched from bases far from the frontline.
    The relocation of the U.S. forces' bases in south Korea is a criminal act of inciting a face-to-face war between fellow countrymen on the Korean peninsula. The U.S. imperialists seek to keep Korea divided for an indefinite period and incite north-south confrontation and put the whole of Korea under their domination. They are now going to pull back their aggression troops from the forefront line and put south Korean soldiers in their place in a bid to bar the north and the south of Korea from achieving reconciliation and unity and incite the sense of confrontation and, on this basis, realize their policy of invading the DPRK without much difficulty. That's why they shifted on to the south Korean army the duty to guard the entire length of the frontline and special duties that had been undertaken by the U.S. imperialist aggression troops under the pretext of their relocation.
    The relocation of the U.S. bases is veiled with the cloak of "peace" and "security," but it is nothing but a trite trick to cover up their aim of aggression, the article concludes.

Rodong Sinmun on Struggle against Imperialism and U.S.

     Pyongyang, November 19 (KCNA) -- Our anti-imperialist and anti-U.S. struggle is the fiercest confrontation of strength between independence and domination and socialism and imperialism, declares Rodong Sinmun today in a signed article. It says:
    This struggle, first of all, represents confrontation between independence and domination. The DPRK is a country of independence. Its steadfast stand for independence arouses sympathy from among many countries and humankind is all out to build a new world structure of independence and justice under the banner of independence held high by it. Hating this as a thorn in the flesh, the imperialists are working desperately to stifle the DPRK at any cost. Struggle for independence is inevitably accompanied by that against domination and imperialism and confrontation of strength.
    The anti-imperialist and anti-U.S. struggle also represents the fiercest confrontation of strength between socialism and imperialism. What the U.S. imperialists conjecture in its world supremacy is a world without socialism. The U.S. thinks that it could make a world without socialism if it succeeded in bringing down socialism in the DPRK. This is why it invariably makes it the main purpose of its anti-socialist strategy, Asia strategy, to contain the DPRK and destroy the man-centered Korean-style socialism. Confrontation with domination and imperialism is one between political, military and economic potentials and a decisive battle of who wins who. Therefore, it is necessary to possess a strong military muscle to emerge victorious in this confrontation.
    The DPRK is winning in the anti-imperialist and anti-U.S. struggle. The merit for this goes to the Songun policy.
    A bright horizon is opening before the Korean revolution, the human cause of independence and the cause of socialism as leader Kim Jong Il is leading the army and the people of the DPRK along the road of victory in the struggle against imperialism and the U.S.

Talks between Premier of DPRK Cabinet and Mongolian Prime Minister Held

     Pyongyang, November 19 (KCNA) -- Talks were held between Pak Pong Ju, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, and Nambariin Enkhbayar, prime minister of Mongolia, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today. At the talks both sides exchanged views on the issue of boosting the friendly relations between the two countries and a series of matters of mutual concern.
    The talks took place in a friendly atmosphere.
    Present there from the DPRK side were Ri Kwang Gun, minister of Foreign Trade, Mun Il Bong, minister of Finance who is chairman of the Korea-Mongolia Friendship Association, Ryang Man Gil, chairman of the Pyongyang City People's Committee, Kim Yong Il, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and other officials concerned and from the Mongolian side Chimeddorjiin Ganzorig, minister of Commerce and Industry, Sukhbaatariin Batbold, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Tsedeviin Dashdorj, member of the State Great Hural, Miyegombiin Enkhbold, mayor of Ulaan Baatar, Janchivdorjiin Adya, governor of Dundgov Province, Yondongiin Otgonbayar, advisor to the prime minister on foreign policy, Daadanhuugiin Batbaatar, general director of the State Specialized Inspection Agency, Janchivdorjyn Lomvo, Mongolian ambassador e.p. to the DPRK, and others.

DPRK Government Hosts Banquet in Honor of Mongolian Prime Minister

     Pyongyang, November 19 (KCNA) -- The DPRK government hosted a banquet at the People's Palace of Culture Wednesday evening in honor of Mongolian Prime Minister Nambariin Enkhbayar on an official visit to the DPRK. Present there on invitation were his wife, Chimeddorjiin Ganzorig, minister of Commerce and Industry, and other suite members.
    Also present there were Pak Pong Ju, premier of the Cabinet, Ri Kwang Gun, minister of Foreign Trade, and other officials concerned.
    Pak Pong Ju and Nambariin Enkhbayar made speeches.
    The banquet proceeded in an atmosphere overflowing with friendly feelings.
    Artists gave a performance there

Mongolian Prime Minister Here

     Pyongyang, November 19 (KCNA) -- Mongolian Prime Minister Nambariin Enkhbayar arrived here today by air to pay an official visit to the DPRK at the invitation of Pak Pong Ju, premier of the DPRK Cabinet. A welcome ceremony took place at the airport.

Greetings to Sultan of Oman
    Pyongyang, November 19 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings to Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said on Nov. 17 on the occasion of the national day of the Sultanate of Oman. Expressing belief that the friendly relations between the two countries would grow stronger, the message sincerely wished the sultan greater success in his work for the prosperity of the country.

Sojourn of Mongolian Prime Minister in Pyongyang
    Pyongyang, November 19 (KCNA) -- Mongolian Prime Minister Nambariin Enkhbayar laid a wreath before the Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery on Mt. Taesong upon his arrival in Pyongyang Wednesday. A guard of honor of the three services of the Korean People's Army lined up before it.
    A wreath in the name of the prime minister was placed before the cemetery amidst the playing of the wreath-laying music and the national anthem of Mongolia was played. Written on the ribbon of the wreath were letters reading "To the Memory of the Korean patriots Who Fought for Freedom".
    The participants observed a moment's silence in memory of the revolutionary martyrs.
    They placed bouquets before the bust of Kim Jong Suk, anti-Japanese war hero, before observing a moment's silence.
    He then paid a courtesy call on Pak Pong Ju, premier of the DPRK Cabinet.
    The "Agreement on the Encouragement and Protection of Investment" and the "Agreement on Prevention of Double Taxation on Income and Property and Tax Evasion" were signed between the DPRK and Mongolian governments. .
    Present there were Premier Pak Pong Ju, Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Kwang Gun and officials concerned and Prime Minister Nambariin Enkhbayar, the minister of Commerce and Industry and other suite members.
    Officials concerned separately signed the agreements.
    An agreement on the establishment of friendly cities between Pyongyang and Ulaan Baatar was signed.

For Spanish-speaking people

CRPP condena a EE.UU.
    Pyongyang, 19 de noviembre (ATCC) -- El Departamento de Defensa de EE.UU., en su informe presentado ante el congreso, insistio en que es imposible la retirada de las tropas norteamericanas ocupantes del Sur de Corea pretextando la "seguridad", lo cual es una teoria bandidesca que demuestra el cinismo de EE.UU. Esto es un desafio total al creciente sentimiento antiyanqui del pueblo surcoreano y su demanda de la retirada de las tropas norteamericanas.
    Asi senalo el secretariado del Comite por la Reunificacion Pacifica de la Patria (CRPP) en la informacion No. 852 publicada el dia 18 y continuo: EE.UU. insiste en que "las tropas norteamericanas no pueden abandonar el Sur de Corea" cuando en su pais testimonian la injusticia de la ocupacion del Sur de Corea por las tropas norteamericanas y la inevitabilidad de la retirada de estas. Tal insistencia absurda no es para la "seguridad" de alguien sino para su proposito e interes politicos, economicos y militares.
    EE.UU. debe dejar de perseguir la presencia perenne de sus tropas en el Sur de Corea presentando un pretexto absurdo.
    Tal artimana acelerara solo su autodestruccion.

Corea es un pais lleno de bienes de verdadero arte
    Beijing, 17 de noviembre (Corresponsal de ATCC) -- Numerosos espectadores que vieron la funcion de cantos y bailes del Conjunto Artistico Mansudae ofrecida en la ciudad de Wuhan de la provincia de Hubei, China, elogiaron altamente la original idea en materia de arte y extraordinaria capacidad de mando del Dirigente Kim Jong Il y felicitaron calurosamente exitos de funcion de este conjunto. El subsecretario del Comite del Partido Comunista de China en la provincia de Hubei dijo que la funcion de ese conjunto es un prototipo del arte hermoso y noble porque combino perfectamente el noble caracter ideologico con el artistico e hizo revivir excelentemente la caracteristica nacional y anadio que tal representacion es muy preciosa para la formacion ideo-cultural de las personas y el desarrollo de la sociedad.
    El secretario del comite del PCCh en la Compania de la Direccion de la Ciudad de Wuhan senalo que al ver la funcion artistica sintio profundamente que el respetado Secretario General Kim Jong Il posee la gran idea sobre el arte, la destacada capacidad de mando y la excepcional capacidad artistica y subrayo que nadie podra alcanzarlo.
    Un profesor de la Universidad de Hubei agrego que el concierto instrumental femenino y otras piezas coreograficas que se granjearon de efusivos aplausos del publico desplegaran una fuerza extraordinariamente grande en la empresa para hacer que los miembros de nueva generacion tengan la correcta cognicion sobre el verdadero arte y se hagan los usufructuarios, protectores y creadores del arte.
    Un funcionario del gobierno popular de la provincia de Hubei menciono que la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea es un pais que cuenta con muchas maestras obras en la opera, la musica, el baile, la acrobacia y los demas sectores de arte y con bienes del autentico arte.
    Muchos espectadores senalaron que las personas elogian el arte de Corea como arte del nivel supremo del mundo, lo cual es un hecho publicamente reconocido en la palestra internacional y subrayaron unanimemente que esto se debe enteramente a la noble personalidad del respetado General Kim Jong Il.

Ri Song Hui obtiene buena nota en el Campeonato Mundial
    Pyongyang, 19 de noviembre (ATCC) -- Ri Song Hui, pesista de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea ocupo el primer lugar en el envion de categoria de 53 kilos y el segundo en la clasificacion general en el 16 Campeonato Mundial de Levantamiento de Pesas (F) que se efectua en Vancouver de Canada. En el presente campeonato se disputan 200 pesistas procedentes de mas de 80 paises y regiones del mundo.
    Ri Song Hui, realizo un envion con 127.5 kilos y ocupo el primer lugar.
    Realizo un arranque con 95 kilos y asi registro 222.5 kilos, en total, pero, por la diferencia del peso del cuerpo se clasifico la segunda.

Lucha antiimperialista y antiyanqui
    Pyongyang, 19 de noviembre (ATCC) -- La lucha antiimperialista y antiyanqui en nuestro pais es el mas enconado enfrentamiento de la fuerza entre la independencia y el dominacionismo, entre el socialismo y el imperialismo, subraya asi el periodico "Rodong Sinmun" en un articulo individual del dia 19, y continua: La Republica Popular Democratica de Corea es un pais independiente.
    La intransigente e independiente posicion de nuestro pais cuenta con el consentimiento de muchos paises y la humanidad se moviliza energicamente para la construccion de una nueva estructura mundial, independiente y justa bajo la bandera de la independencia que hemos enarbolado.
    Sin embargo, los imperialistas consideran a la RPDC como una espina clavada en sus ojos y tratan de aplastarla a toda costa.
    Por esta razon nuestra lucha por la independencia implica inevitablemente la lucha sangrienta y el enfrentamiento de la fuerza contra las dominacionistas e imperialistas.
    La ambicion de los imperialistas norteamericanos por la heguemonia mundial consiste en crear un mundo sin el socialismo. Los EE.UU. calcularon que por realizarlo solo le faltaba derrumbar el socialismo de Corea.
    .Por tal motivo toman invariablemente como un objeto principal de su estrategia contra el socialismo y sobre Asia la represion a la RPDC y la liquidacion de nuestro socialismo centrado en las masas populares.
    El enfrentamiento contra el dominacionismo y el imperialismo es la confrontacion de las fuerzas politicas, militares y economicas y la batalla de vida o muerte uno contra el otro.
    Para ganar esta batalla, es imprescindible, ante todo, tener las poderosas fuerzas militares.
    Gracias a la politica de Songun (priorizacion militar) la RPDC sale victoriosa en la lucha contra los imperialistas y los yanquis.
    El Dirigente Kim Jong Il lleva a nuestro ejercito y pueblo al camino victorioso en esta lucha, y por lo tanto la perspectiva de la revolucion coreana y la causa de la humanidad para la independencia y el socialismo son muy prometedoras.